~ politics for the people

Jeremy Corbyn may dismiss ‘disloyal’ shadow ministers in New Year reshuffle

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is planning to reshuffle his Shadow Cabinet in the first week of January – with aides pencilling in an announcement for as early as 4 January. Mr Corbyn wants to assert his authority by dismissing “disloyal” shadow ministers who have openly defied his leadership and questioned whether he will remain in the post until 2020.

He is understood to have made the “seismic” decision to move shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn, but will have to withstand furious resistance if he is to force it through. Defence spokeswoman Maria Eagle, her sister Angela – the shadow First Secretary of State – and the chief whip, Rosie Winterton, are also on the brink of being demoted.

Corbyn is the Leader of the Labour Party. Cabinet reshuffles are something that all leaders do. Too many members of the shadow cabinet are putting their heads above the parapet and deserve the consequences.

I think he may have appointed them under the old guise of keep your friends close but your enemies closer, unfortunately he is playing Queensbury rules with a bunch of cowardly thugs who obey no rules of decency at all.
He needs a united shadow cabinet, not one where he cannot turn his back on them in fear of getting stabbed in it. There are enough decent newcomers to choose from who are “old” Labour in their outlook and with real life experience. Give them a run out and send some real warning shots to the Tories in labour clothing, let them know their days are numbered.

When I first saw this one from (at least) The Independent, I put it down to wild speculation by the media again. But if it does turn out to be true, then isn’t this going to be a bit embarrassing for Corbyn? I say this because I remember Corbyn in an interview saying that he wanted a variety of views across the party, and he knew what Maria Eagles views on e.g. Trident were, BEFORE he gave her the position he gave her. Now, let’s assume for a moment that he also knew what Benns views were on Syria. If he does move these people, doesn’t it prove that his idea has sort of backfired? (although I should also add that I remember him saying that he was going to try to persuade certain people to his POV). Until either yourself Mike (or someone else) explains where I’m possibly going wrong on this one, I’m going to assume that this could be very tricky for him?

My understanding was that, like Abraham Lincoln, he wanted an inclusive “team of rivals”, so he would have the advantage of hearing many viewpoints before coming to a decision on any political point.
After that decision is reached, however, his shadow cabinet would have collective responsibility for it, and that is where people like Mr Benn and Ms Eagle have let themselves down.

Blair never entertained anyone who disagreed with him, that is why they were called his cronies. not so with Jeremy who wanted to hear all views even those contrary to his own, but outright defiance of the people they represent and that was a huge majority, is exactly the very best reason to get shot of them. He doesn’t want yes men (and Tom Watson is decidedly not, but may still prove to be a good deputy) but he does want ministers willing to accept the views of the masses who they are supposed to represent.

He’ll be sacking them as shadow cabinet ministers, not MPs. As a serial rebel Corbyn accepted the cost (i.e. no cabinet posts) for 30+ years. There’s nothing hypocritical about expecting his fellow MPs to accept the same conditions (Want to rebel? Do it from the back benches) if they sow disunity or under-perform.

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